ADDIS ABABA: Young and outspoken Abiy Ahmed has been sworn in Monday as Ethiopia's high minister, amid hopes he will have the ability to quell the sustained anti-government protests that have rocked Africa's 2d maximum populous nation.
Abiy was elected by Ethiopia's parliament, succeeding Hailemariam Desalegn who resigned in mid-February as a result of common protests that have taken the lives of a number of hundred folks, principally in the restive Oromia and Amhara areas.
"This is a historic moment," mentioned Abiy in his inaugural address to Ethiopian lawmakers. "This is high time for us to learn from our past mistakes and make up for all the wrongs done in the past . we understand there are a lots of problems that need to be solved with great urgency."
Abiy apologized for the deaths of civilians in the violent protests. He mentioned his management will try to unravel grievances by discussion moderately than by pressure, provide extra space for opposition parties, fight corruption and concentrate on respect for rule of regulation.
The new leader mentioned he goals to open up a recent dialogue with arch-foe Eritrea and referred to as upon Ethiopia's diaspora to extra actively take part in the country's affairs.
Abiy is the primary Oromo politician to become Ethiopia's high minister since the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front got here to power in 1991. It is was hoping he will have the ability to deliver an end to the protests which were raging since late 2015 to press for wider political freedoms and the release of opposition figures. The Oromo folks, the largest ethnic team of Ethiopia's 100 million folks, have long felt marginalized each politically and economically.
A former Lieutenant Colonel in the military and head of Ethiopia's Science and Technology ministry, Abiy, 42, has a name as an efficient orator and reformer.
Many welcomed the new leader.
"I think this is a very important step toward the overall democratization and stability of the country," mentioned Kiya Tsegaye, a attorney and political analyst. "But he needs the support of the people around him, especially top party officials to implement his reform measures."
Prominent opposition leader Merara Gudina expressed wary optimism over Abiy's election, announcing the future of Ethiopia's peace and steadiness depends upon the insurance policies of the incoming leader and his party.
"What he aims to achieve depends on what his party allows him to do," Merara mentioned, adding that Abiy was elected by Ethiopia's ruling party and not directly by the population via a common election. "But still it goes without saying that a change in personalities within the leadership may bring changes in terms of bringing better ideas that may ultimately lead to national reconciliation."
Ethiopia's Olympic gold medalist runner, Haile Gebrselassie, mentioned the peaceful switch of power is a win-win state of affairs for all Ethiopians.
"The new leader's election has answered many Ethiopians' questions," Haile informed The Associated Press, announcing that Abiy will have to enforce his pledges directly. "His inaugural address today has the ability to bring together not only Ethiopians, but countries in the region as well."
Abiy can be Ethiopia's 3rd high minister since the former army junta, the Derg, was overthrown in 1991.
Ethiopia in February declared its 2d state of emergency in two years amid the continued protests that effectively crippled transportation networks and forced the closure of companies. On Saturday, Ethiopian officers mentioned that greater than 1,000 folks were detained since the latest emergency rule was installed place.
The U.S. Embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, recommended the peaceful switch of power, announcing it is the first time a dwelling leader has passed over power in Ethiopia's contemporary historical past.
"We stand ready to support the government's rapid implementation of democratic and economic reforms and look forward to the lifting of the state of emergency," the U.S. embassy mentioned in an e-mail despatched to The Associated Press.
Abiy was elected by Ethiopia's parliament, succeeding Hailemariam Desalegn who resigned in mid-February as a result of common protests that have taken the lives of a number of hundred folks, principally in the restive Oromia and Amhara areas.
"This is a historic moment," mentioned Abiy in his inaugural address to Ethiopian lawmakers. "This is high time for us to learn from our past mistakes and make up for all the wrongs done in the past . we understand there are a lots of problems that need to be solved with great urgency."
Abiy apologized for the deaths of civilians in the violent protests. He mentioned his management will try to unravel grievances by discussion moderately than by pressure, provide extra space for opposition parties, fight corruption and concentrate on respect for rule of regulation.
The new leader mentioned he goals to open up a recent dialogue with arch-foe Eritrea and referred to as upon Ethiopia's diaspora to extra actively take part in the country's affairs.
Abiy is the primary Oromo politician to become Ethiopia's high minister since the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front got here to power in 1991. It is was hoping he will have the ability to deliver an end to the protests which were raging since late 2015 to press for wider political freedoms and the release of opposition figures. The Oromo folks, the largest ethnic team of Ethiopia's 100 million folks, have long felt marginalized each politically and economically.
A former Lieutenant Colonel in the military and head of Ethiopia's Science and Technology ministry, Abiy, 42, has a name as an efficient orator and reformer.
Many welcomed the new leader.
"I think this is a very important step toward the overall democratization and stability of the country," mentioned Kiya Tsegaye, a attorney and political analyst. "But he needs the support of the people around him, especially top party officials to implement his reform measures."
Prominent opposition leader Merara Gudina expressed wary optimism over Abiy's election, announcing the future of Ethiopia's peace and steadiness depends upon the insurance policies of the incoming leader and his party.
"What he aims to achieve depends on what his party allows him to do," Merara mentioned, adding that Abiy was elected by Ethiopia's ruling party and not directly by the population via a common election. "But still it goes without saying that a change in personalities within the leadership may bring changes in terms of bringing better ideas that may ultimately lead to national reconciliation."
Ethiopia's Olympic gold medalist runner, Haile Gebrselassie, mentioned the peaceful switch of power is a win-win state of affairs for all Ethiopians.
"The new leader's election has answered many Ethiopians' questions," Haile informed The Associated Press, announcing that Abiy will have to enforce his pledges directly. "His inaugural address today has the ability to bring together not only Ethiopians, but countries in the region as well."
Abiy can be Ethiopia's 3rd high minister since the former army junta, the Derg, was overthrown in 1991.
Ethiopia in February declared its 2d state of emergency in two years amid the continued protests that effectively crippled transportation networks and forced the closure of companies. On Saturday, Ethiopian officers mentioned that greater than 1,000 folks were detained since the latest emergency rule was installed place.
The U.S. Embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, recommended the peaceful switch of power, announcing it is the first time a dwelling leader has passed over power in Ethiopia's contemporary historical past.
"We stand ready to support the government's rapid implementation of democratic and economic reforms and look forward to the lifting of the state of emergency," the U.S. embassy mentioned in an e-mail despatched to The Associated Press.
Ethiopia installs new PM amid hopes he can stop protests
![Ethiopia installs new PM amid hopes he can stop protests]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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April 03, 2018
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